The Next Indonesia Corner

In the afternoon of 26th August 1883 Mt. Krakatau suddenly erupted with such cataclysmic force that its boom could be heard in Burma to far away Australia. The next day, massive volcanic materials blasted so high causing a gaping gash in its crater and the mountain imploded and sank. The boiling sea brought about huge tsunami waves of more than 10 meters high, devastating the towns of Banten and Anyer on Java and Lampung on Sumatra, wiping out their entire population. The tsunami waves spread throughout the Indian Ocean, and was said to be felt even as far away as France. While Krakatau’s volcanic ash was reported to circle the earth’s atmosphere, creating spectacular sunsets around the globe for two years.

After its explosion in 1883, the plants grew little by little. Scientists believe that the plants originate form seds that was brought by the water from nearby islands. Not only flora, in KraKatoa islands we can also find fauna, like lizards.Like the seeds, they also come from nearby islands, swimmingacross the sea. KraKatoa is a favorite site for photographers, especially when it explodes. Watching Cracatoa closely is just like watching a documentary film on National Geographic channel, If we want to take photograph of KraKatoa explosion, Rakata Island is the best place to do in the night. Under sunlight, material explosion just seem to be grey sand and stone.

Today, where once stood the mighty Krakatau volcano, a number of idyllic small tropical islands are left in the Sunda Straits between the island of Java and Sumatra. These are the Krakatau islands which consist of Rakata or Krakatau Besar (Large Krakatau), Panjang or Krakatau Kecil (Small Krakatau),Sertung and the Anak Krakatau(The child of Krakatau). While the islands of Rakata, Sertung and Panjang are remnants of the ancient Mount Krakatau, Anak Krakatau is an active volcano that surfaced only in 1927 and incredibly, still continues to grow as a result of volcanic activities below. The newly”born” mountain continues to grow at an average rate of five inches (13 cm) per week equates to an average growth of 6.8 metres per year. The island is still active, with its most recent eruptive episode having begun in 1994.

Administratively, the Krakatau Islands are located within the sub-district of Rajabasa, South Lampung, inLampung province on Sumatra. But, in fact they form part of the Ujung Kulon – Krakatau Nattional Park, which is recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage site.